Residential Burglary Arrest

On Monday morning, November 3, 2025, at approximately 10:00 AM, law enforcement officers from the Pittsburg Police Department were dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of W. Potlitzer Street, in Pittsburg, in reference to a report of a subject burglarizing the home. Upon arrival, officers located 54-year-old James P. Jones, of Columbus, in one of the bedrooms of the home. Mr. Jones was taken into custody without incident and was removed from the residence.

Investigation into this incident revealed that Mr. Jones was in possession of stolen property from the residence on Potlitzer Street in which he was located. Additionally, Mr. Jones was found to be in possession of stolen property from a burglarized motor vehicle that was reported to the police department earlier that morning from the same block on Potlitzer Street. Property from at least two other motor vehicle burglaries and one other residential burglary were located in a 2012 Mazda 3 passenger car that was linked to Mr. Jones as well.

The Pittsburg State University Police Department later reported the Mazda linked to Mr. Jones had been stolen from the PSU campus earlier that morning.

Mr. Jones was placed under arrest and was transported to the jail at the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office for booking. Mr. Jones was arrested for aggravated burglary, four counts of felony theft and three counts of burglary to a motor vehicle. Mr. Jones is currently being held without bond.

Mr. Jones was also identified as the suspect of a motor vehicle fire that occurred earlier this morning, at approximately 5:50 AM, behind a residence in the 1700 block of S. Broadway Street, in Pittsburg. An officer with the Pittsburg Police Department was patrolling the area and discovered a 2006 Chrysler 300 was on fire. The officer began putting out the fire with an extinguisher and the Pittsburg Fire Department responded to assist.

Additional charges against Mr. Jones concerning this arson incident will be submitted to the prosecutor’s office for review.

Mr. Jones is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This incident is still under investigation. Anyone who has information related to this, or other incidents, is urged to contact the Pittsburg Police Department at (620) 231-1700, or at our automated tip line, (620) 231-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.